Government bodies backing Indian startups

The Defence Innovation Organisation is a government entity operating under the Ministry of Defence. It is dedicated to promoting innovation among Indian startups within the defence and aerospace domains. This organisation manages iDEX, recognised as India's leading initiative for fostering startup innovation in these critical sectors. It provides grant funding to support emerging businesses. Startups can access various programs designed to address specific challenges. Key programs offered by the Defence Innovation Organisation include: - iDEX Open Challenge by DIO, providing grants up to ₹1.5 crore. - Defence India Startup Challenge 14 (DISC 14), with grants available up to ₹1.5 crore. - ADITI 4.0 Challenge Grant Program - iDEX, offering grants up to ₹25 crore. - iDEX DISC 12 (Re-Open) – IAF, which provides grants up to ₹1.5 crore. - iDEX Prime Re Open, offering grants up to ₹10 crore.

T-Hub is a Government provider that offers funding and support to Indian startups. Further details are available on their website, t-hub.co. They run several programs for startups: - Avinya Ventures Pitch Day provides equity funding, with amounts ranging from ₹4.5Cr to ₹9Cr. - The SIT Innovators Hackathon 2026 by AIC T-Hub Foundation offers grants up to ₹1L. - The Youth Co:Lab National Innovation Challenge 2026 provides grants between ₹2.2L and ₹3.5L. - The Honda Innovation Challenge 1.0 - Honda & T-Hub offers grants up to ₹10L. - Orbit — AIC T-Hub SpaceTech Incubation Program provides grants, with varying amounts.

Central government ministry running RKVY-RAFTAAR to support agri-startups with grants up to INR 25 lakh, incubation through 24 R-ABIs, and agripreneurship training.

Ratan Tata Innovation Hub (RTIH) is a government-backed innovation hub. It functions as Andhra Pradesh's flagship centre for innovation, operating through a hub-and-spoke model that spans six cities. More information is available on its website, https://rtih.co.in. RTIH primarily offers grant funding to support Indian startups. Key programs offered by RTIH include: - AI-Based Early Childhood Development (ECD) Innovation Challenge: Provides grant funding up to ₹2 crore. - RTIH Catalyst Incubation Program Cohort 1: Offers grant funding up to ₹30 lakh. - AP-AER Mission Hackathon 1.0: Delivers grant funding, with amounts varying. - AP Build Grant — Build with AI: RTIH Startup Sprint: Supports startups with grant funding ranging from ₹3 lakh to ₹5 lakh.

Startup Karnataka is a Government initiative by the Government of Karnataka, accessible through its official website at https://eitbt.karnataka.gov.in/startup/public. It supports startups by providing funding. This initiative offers grants to eligible startups, with funding available up to ₹50 lakh. Startup Karnataka manages several grant programs: - ELEVATE Aspire 2026 — Startup Karnataka Grant (Beyond Bengaluru) offers grants up to ₹50 lakh. - ELEVATE Unnati 2026 — Startup Karnataka Grant for SC/ST Founders provides grants up to ₹50 lakh. - ELEVATE Shakti 2026 — Startup Karnataka Women-Led Grant offers grants up to ₹50 lakh. - ELEVATE 2026 — Startup Karnataka Grant-in-Aid Program provides grants up to ₹50 lakh.

The Department of Industries, Government of Bihar, is a government body. It serves as the primary department for executing the Bihar Startup Policy 2022. This department extends support to startups through grants, co-working spaces, and matching funds. Under the Bihar Startup Policy 2022, it administers programs such as: - The Bihar Startup Policy 2022 Seed Grant for Validation-Stage Startups, offering debt funding up to ₹10L. - The Bihar Startup Policy 2022: Success Fee Scheme, which provides varying subsidy amounts. - The Bihar Startup Policy 2022: Zero Patent Filing Cost Scheme, also offering subsidies with amounts that vary.

The Department of IT and E-Governance, Government of Jharkhand is a government entity. It is tasked with overseeing the Startup Jharkhand initiative and managing the state's digital innovation objectives. The department offers various funding programs designed to support startups in Jharkhand. These include: - Jharkhand Startup Policy: Utility Bills Reimbursement: A subsidy providing up to ₹60,000. - Jharkhand Startup Policy: Marketing Assistance Grant: A grant offering up to ₹10,00,000. - Jharkhand Startup Policy: Sustenance Allowance: A grant with amounts ranging from ₹5,000 to ₹1,80,000.

ICAR's RKVY-RAFTAAR agri-business incubator in Mumbai focused on cotton technology, nanocellulose, and agricultural innovation.

RKVY-RAFTAAR agri-business incubator at Punjab Agricultural University — grants up to ₹25 lakhs for agri startups.

R-ABI (RKVY-RAFTAAR) is a government-backed network of agri-business incubators. It operates under the support of the Ministry of Agriculture, providing resources for agricultural innovation in India. More information is available at https://rkvy.nic.in/.

Premier government body under MeitY with 63 centres across India, operating the Next Generation Incubation Scheme and 24 Centres of Entrepreneurship for IT and emerging-tech startups.

BIRAC is a government interface agency that supports innovation in the biotechnology sector. It operates as a key entity for fostering advancements in this field. This organisation provides various forms of financial assistance to Indian startups. Its support mechanisms include grants, equity support, and dedicated incubation programs. BIRAC runs specific funding initiatives for biotech ventures. These include: - The BIRAC GCI — Screening & Diagnosis Innovations Open Call, which offers grant funding up to ₹2 crore. - The BIRAC–RDI Fund – Research, Development & Innovation Fund, providing grants ranging from ₹5 crore to ₹200 crore.

The Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade (DPIIT) is a central government body in India. It oversees the Startup India initiative, which supports the nation's startup ecosystem. The DPIIT has recognized over 1,97,000 startups across India. This government department provides grant funding to Indian startups. It supports various programs designed to foster innovation and growth. Key programs offered by DPIIT include: - The Green Energy & Climate Action Challenge under Bharat Startup Grand Challenge, which provides grants of up to ₹5 lakh. - The BluePrint Startup Funding & Incubation Program, offering grants where the amount varies.

The Department of Biotechnology (DBT) is a government entity. It operates as a central government department. Through its official website, https://dbtindia.gov.in, DBT provides funding to Indian startups. This support primarily comes in the form of grants. DBT runs several programs designed to foster innovation. These include: - DBT-BIRAC Joint Call for Proposals on Bio AI for Fostering High Performance Biomanufacturing under BioE3 Policy: This program offers grant funding, with amounts that vary. - D.E.S.I.G.N. for BioE3 Challenge: Startups can receive grant funding ranging from ₹1L to ₹25L through this initiative.

The Department of MSME, Government of Madhya Pradesh is a government body responsible for administering the Madhya Pradesh Startup Policy. This department offers various forms of assistance to startups within the state. Its support mechanisms include financial aid, patent assistance, incubation grants, and lease rental subsidies. These initiatives are designed to benefit over 5,000 registered startups. The department operates specific programs under the Madhya Pradesh Startup Policy 2022. These include: - Sustenance Allowance for Startups: Providing grants up to ₹1.2 lakh. - Lease Rental Assistance: Offering subsidies up to ₹5,000.

Gujarat Student Startup and Innovation Hub (i-Hub) is a government initiative that serves as a single-window incubation hub in Gujarat. It specifically supports student startups within the state.This organisation operates under the guidelines of the Student Startup and Innovation Policy (SSIP) established by the Gujarat government. Further information can be found on its website, ihubgujarat.in.i-Hub provides grant funding to eligible ventures. It offers programs designed to foster student entrepreneurship, which include: - Samriddhi Acceleration Program 2.0 by i-Hub Gujarat x FundEnable - TattvaX Cohort 2

Kerala Startup Mission is a government entity dedicated to fostering the startup ecosystem within Kerala. It serves as the primary organisation for promoting new ventures and innovation across the state. The mission operates various support initiatives, including incubators and grants, to assist emerging businesses. It also manages LEAP Coworks facilities located throughout Kerala. Startups can access funding and support through programs such as: - Seed Fund Scheme - Kerala Startup Mission, which offers debt funding up to ₹15L. - WE START Pre-Incubation Program at Kerala Startup Mission, providing grant funding with varying amounts.

Government of Maharashtra's nodal agency for boosting innovation-driven entrepreneurship, offering seed funds, startup recognition, and Maharashtra Startup Week programmes.

StartupTN is a government initiative that functions as Tamil Nadu's dedicated startup mission. It provides support to emerging businesses through various programs. The mission offers funding in the form of grants, alongside sector-specific accelerator programs and incubation support at the district level. StartupTN currently runs several programs, including: - TANSEED 8.0 by StartupTN: This program offers grants ranging from ₹10L to ₹15L. - V-FUND 6.0 – Women 2026 Accelerator Program: Through this initiative, grants of up to ₹2L are provided.

Tamil Nadu Technology Hub (iTNT Hub) is a government initiative that functions as India's premier innovation network. It is specifically established to support emerging and deep technologies. The hub provides grant funding to Indian startups through its various programs. Its offerings include: - iAccelerate 4.0 – Tamil Nadu Hardware Accelerator for Prototype & Product Startups, which provides grants ranging from ₹7.5L to ₹15L. - iAccelerate Batch 2, offering grant funding of up to ₹40L.

Atal Incubation Centre supporting early-stage startups in Gujarat under AIM, NITI Aayog.

Premier life sciences incubation centre in Bangalore jointly established by the Government of Karnataka and DBT, supporting MedTech, agri-biotech, and healthcare startups.

India's premier R&D organization under MeitY focused on advanced computing, AI, cybersecurity, and electronics, with presence across 11 cities nationwide.

India's government-owned defence companies running the DRISHTI Challenges to integrate startup innovations into military systems

Government department under the Ministry of Jal Shakti driving Jal Jeevan Mission and Swachh Bharat Mission Grameen for universal rural water and sanitation coverage.

The Department of Innovation, Incubation and Start-ups, Government of Assam is a government department. It serves as Assam's nodal state department, driving the state's Startup & Innovation Policy and providing MASI recognition for startups based in Assam. This department offers funding support to Indian startups. Its programs include the Assam Scale-Up Grant, which provides up to ₹50L to MASI-recognised startups.

Abu Dhabi's global tech ecosystem providing funding, housing, and market access to startups expanding into the UAE and MENA.

KBITS, Government of Karnataka, operates as a government body focused on facilitating information technology and biotechnology within the state. It hosts the Startup Cell and manages the overall startup ecosystem across Karnataka. This organisation offers funding support to Indian startups through specific programs. One key initiative is the ELEVATE NXT 2026 Deeptech Grant-in-Aid Program, which provides grant funding of up to ₹1Cr.

NABARD + TNAU joint agri-incubator in Madurai — 535+ startups supported, grants up to ₹25 lakhs.

The Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY) is a central government ministry in India. It operates through its dedicated platform, the MeitY Startup Hub, which can be accessed at https://msh.meity.gov.in/. MeitY focuses on fostering the growth of Indian technology startups. Through its various initiatives, it aims to support more than 3,600 tech startups, with funding commitments exceeding ₹212 crore. The ministry manages several key programs and schemes that provide funding and support. These include: - SAMRIDH - TIDE 2.0 - GENESIS - NGIS - The Zero Equity Incubation Program, which offers grant funding.

NaaViC, ICAR-NIVEDI is a government-backed incubator dedicated to fostering startups in the veterinary and animal science sectors. Operating from Bengaluru, this provider receives support from RKVY-RAFTAAR and DST. It offers funding opportunities for Indian startups. One key initiative is the NUZEN Agri-Startup Grant for Student Innovators – NaaViC (ICAR-NIVEDI), which provides grants of up to ₹4L.

Design-based incubator at NID Ahmedabad — creating designpreneurs since 2005.

Autonomous government body driving Ayushman Bharat Digital Mission (ABDM), offering APIs, sandboxes, and the Digital Health Incentive Scheme to healthtech startups.

STPI's Centre of Excellence in Aizawl, Mizoram, nurturing gaming and entertainment startups in the Northeast.

T-Works is a Government initiative from Telangana, operating as India's largest prototyping centre. Based in Hyderabad, it provides essential resources for startups. This organisation offers subsidised access to a range of advanced facilities. Startups can utilise services such as 3D printing, laser cutting, comprehensive testing labs, and specialised electronics facilities. Among its offerings, T-Works runs programs that provide financial support. One such program is ASTRA 1.0 (Advanced Solutions in Technology for Resilience & Autonomy), which offers grant funding with varying amounts.

Taiwan's flagship international accelerator connecting global startups to Taiwan's AIoT, SpaceTech, and hardware supply chains.

The Technology Development Board (TDB) is an Indian government statutory body. It functions under the Department of Science & Technology (DST). TDB provides financial assistance to support technology startups and commercialise indigenous technology. This support is offered through both loans and equity. Among its initiatives is the "Technology Development Board (TDB) India-Finland Joint Innovation Call 2026". This program offers grants of up to ₹2.5 crore.

The United Kingdom government collaborates with India on startup innovation through Innovate UK, the UK-India Startup Launchpad, and jointly funded R&D programs worth over 330 million pounds.

India's first state-led incubator exclusively for women entrepreneurs, backed by the Government of Telangana.

Andhra Pradesh government department established in 1987 to formulate and implement policies for women and children, overseeing welfare schemes and empowerment programs across the state.